While the heads of state met with their corporate allies to move toward implementation of the FTAA by 2005, activists outside this 400-year-old walled city staged militant protests condemning the secrecy of the negotiations and the erosion of democracy they claim is the result of surrendering government power to transnational corporations. Between The Lines' Scott Harris has this special report.

Related links:

• On-location interview with Hassan Yussuff, of Common Frontiers and vice chair of the Canadian Labor Congress on the coalition of groups opposed to the FTAA at People's Summit held in Quebec City April 19, 2001 (MP3 file)
• 11 a.m. On-location press conference with Jaggi Singh and other members of the Anticapitalist Convergence (CLAC) on the protests planned for the day April 20, 2001. A few hours later, Singh was beaten by undercover police dressed as protesters during his arrest. (in MP3)
• Interview with Greg Duffell of CKLN Radio in Toronto who reports on the constraints placed on journalists located inside the Summit of the Americas media center from covering the Quebec City protests on Friday 4/20/01. (in MP3)
• "Not One or Two, But Hundreds of Protests," Naomi Klein, Globe and Mail, www.Alternet.org April 24, 2001
• "Fences Make Bad Neighbors: Quebec welcomes the corporate state," Hank Hoffman, New Haven Advocate, April 26, 2001
• "Gas Not Only Cause for Tears at Summit," Anna Manzo, New Haven Register, April 25, 2001
  
• World Bank and Multinational Corporations Seek to Privatize Water Censored 2001: Top Project Censored media stories of 2000

The week preceding the Summit of the Americas in Quebec City more than 2,000 delegates from around the hemisphere gathered at the People's Summit held in a large tent at Quebec's old port. There, they articulated an alternative vision to corporate-led globalization, the target of a growing global social justice movement in Quebec City and elsewhere. Labor leaders, environmentalists, human rights and indigenous rights activists were among the participants.

In the final session of the People's Summit, April 21st, French farmer Jose Bove, well-known for his 1999 bulldozing of a McDonald's restaurant in France, spoke to an overflow crowd. Also speaking was Council of Canadians vice chair Tony Clarke who strongly condemned the development of the "corporate security state."

Tony Clarke is author of "Global Showdown" Contact the Council by calling (613) 233-3773 or visit their Web site at: www.canadians.org

Related speeches:

• Corporate Security State Protects Wealthy Elite from Citizen Dissent, Between The Lines Q&A for week ending May 5, 2001. Full transcript of Tony Clarke's speech at the People's Summit of the Americas.
  Jose Bove speaks to John Cavanagh, director of the Institute for Policy Studies, based in Washington, D.C. prior to their speeches at the People's Summit of the Americas in Quebec City's old port, April 21, 2001. (Photo by Anna Manzo)

• Jose Bove, activist farmer who shot to international fame after demolishing a McDonald's under construction in France, speaking at the People's Summit of the Americas, April 21, 2001. Bove was originally denied entry to Canada for this summit. (in MP3)
  
• Top Censored Media stories of 2000 on World Bank and Multinational Corporations Seek to Privatize Water by Project Censored, www.projectcensored.org.
• The Global Water Crisis And The Commodification Of The World's Water Supply Maude Barlow, Council of Canadians. #1 2000 Censored Media stories: World Bank and Multinationals Seek to Privatize Water, by Project Censored.